Is there a more soulful holiday than Christmas? No other day is soaked in the purest form of the spirit of giving, receiving, and loving. Some of the most iconic, soulful musicians have given us a reason to groove, nog, give, and repeat. Listen to this sexy mix and from BDCwire’s heart to yours, have a delightful holiday, full of peace, love, and tenderness.
If you’re more into the rap side of things, check out our 5 classic holiday favorites.
Or if you can wrap your head around it, Adam12 selects 6 Christmas songs that aren’t really about Christmas at all.
| 1. | Binky Griptite and the Dee Kays – “Stone Soul Christmas” |
Daptone Records bandleader Binky Griptite rings out a sponge of solid gold nostalgic soul on this seasonal take of Laura Nyro’s “Stoned Soul Picnic.”
| 2. | James Brown – “Santa Claus, Go Straight To The Ghetto” |
We may have lost The Godfather on Christmas Day seven years ago, but James Brown always had a soft spot for the holiday. This original, complete with a dose of social commentary, appeared on 1968’s “A Soulful Christmas.”
| 3. | Eli Paperboy Reed – “Party Hard For Xmas” |
The Brookline-bred Reed carries the torch and keeps the soul alive with a rollicking Christmas tune of his own.
| 4. | Soul Saints Orchestra – “Santa’s Got a Bag Of Soul” |
With a bass line that could light up a tree, this German collective doesn’t need much in the way of lyrics for this yule tide jam.
| 5. | The Staple Singers – “Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas” |
Long before Mavis Staples lent her vocals to the theme song for “Christmas Vacation,” she and the rest of the Staple Singers provided a reality check on “Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas.”
| 6. | Clarence Carter – “Back Door Santa” |
A more suggestive take on a holiday classic, “Back Door Santa” was one of Clarence Carter’s biggest hits, despite it being a seasonal selection.
| 7. | J.D. McDonald – “Boogaloo Santa Claus” |
A bass line with more kick than your spiked nog, “Boogaloo Santa Claus” is a classic from the rather unknown J.D. McDonald.
| 8. | Rose Graham – “Black Christmas” |
The Memphis crooner delivers a horn-riddled rendition of the bluesy holiday classic.
| 9. | Sir Mack Rice – “Santa Claus Want Some Lovin’” |
Stax soul man Sir Mack Rice sings of the friskier side of the jolly man in red, and gets damn funky in the process.